Throughout history, courage has been a deeply valued human quality, often lauded in tales of military valor. Vivid imagery of the likes of samurai, Vikings, or knights—and modern media portrayals of the James Bond or Clint Eastwood archetypes—often come to mind. This historical lens can lead us to associate courage with those in high-risk occupations—soldiers, firefighters, astronauts. We might then assume that courage is an inherent trait, a characteristic one is either born with or without. However, the reality is far more nuanced. History shows countless examples of ordinary individuals who rise to extraordinary levels of courage when faced with unexpected and challenging circumstances.
Consider the harrowing Lai Lai Ballroom shooting outside downtown Los Angeles, California, in January 2023. When a gunman opened fire on Lunar New Year celebrants, Brandon Tsay, the 26-year-old grandson of the dance hall’s founder, didn’t flee. Despite having never handled a gun, Tsay confronted the shooter, wrestled the weapon away, and likely saved countless lives. Tsay, a small, soft-spoken man who was fond of computer games and coding, was no action hero. He had never had any inkling that he was capable of such bravery.
Similarly, during the devastating 2008 Mumbai Taj Mahal Palace Hotel attacks, Mallika Jagad, a 24-year-old banquet manager, displayed remarkable courage. As terrorists attacked the hotel, Mallika, despite her own fear, took charge, barricading a room with 65 guests and staff inside, and comforting them for hours. Even with her intimate knowledge of the hotel’s escape routes, she refused to abandon her post. Her sense of responsibility for the safety of her guests, her understanding of her role in that moment, drove her actions. When an escape route finally emerged, she led the guests to safety, only leaving herself after everyone else was secure. The hotel staff as a whole displayed similar levels of courage, prioritizing the safety of their guests over their own lives.
These are not tales of professional heroes born with innate fearlessness, but of everyday people tapping into a wellspring of courage they likely never knew they possessed. What allowed these seemingly ordinary individuals to display such extraordinary bravery? The answer lies not in a pre-ordained personality trait, but in the powerful interplay of meaning, identity, and capability.
The meaning we ascribe to a situation – our interpretation of what is at stake, what values are being threatened, and what impact our actions might have – profoundly influences our response. Tsay saw the Lai Lai as more than just a business; it was his family’s legacy and a community hub. Mallika viewed her role as more than simply a job; it was a responsibility to protect those in her care. When we perceive a situation as deeply significant, resonating with our core beliefs and values, we are far more likely to act boldly.
Equally crucial is our identity within that situation – how we see ourselves in relation to the challenge and to others involved. Tsay identified as a protector of his family, his family legacy, and this cherished hub within his community. Mallika saw herself as the person responsible for the safety of her guests. If we identify strongly with those who are vulnerable, or if we see ourselves as someone capable of making a difference, we are more likely to step forward. This sense of who we are in the moment, our perceived role and responsibilities, can override our fears and propel us to act with courage, and leverage our capabilities in a manner we didn’t think possible.
Finally, completing this powerful triad is our capability. Courage often demands that we activate and leverage existing skills, knowledge, or even physical abilities in unforeseen ways. Brandon Tsay, though a self-described computer enthusiast with no prior firearm experience, instinctively drew upon a latent physical agility and quick thinking to disarm the assailant. Similarly, Mallika Jagad utilized her professional training in crisis management to protect, comfort, and care for her guests. These individuals didn’t suddenly acquire new skills; rather, the profound sense of meaning they ascribed to the situation and their strong identification with a protective role compelled them to tap into and deploy their existing capabilities with unexpected effectiveness and resolve.
Courage, therefore, is not merely a reaction to adversity, but a dynamic capacity to unlock and apply what we already possess. By consciously focusing on the levers of meaning, identity, and capability—understanding what is at stake, how we see ourselves, and how we can best leverage our inherent strengths—we can actively cultivate our courage and enhance our state of readiness for bold action. As I explore in my forthcoming book, How to Be Bold and will continue to explore in this season of Leadership Unlocked, this capacity can be trained and strengthened like a muscle. Therefore, courage is not a fixed attribute reserved for a select few; it is a virtue that resides within all of us, waiting to be honed, strengthened, and called on.
